Joshua 7:10-26 The Sin of Achan

Abstaining from the devoted things is important in holy war. I can't expect to conquer the promised land or establish God's kingdom upon the earth if I desire the devoted things. Achan was enticed by a cloak and some silver and gold. But it can be anything that distracts me from my conquest. It can be money, power, greed, relationships, etc... anything! The devoted things belong to this world and are appointed for destruction. If my heart desires after them, I will partake in their destruction.

Much of the trouble in my life, I have brought upon myself for taking of the devoted things of the world. I think I can hide it and get away with it. Unfortunately, my sin has personal as well as corporate effects. Not only is my life entangled in trouble individually when I set out to embrace the sin of this world, but I bring down my whole church in a corporate fashion. In my individualistic thinking, I don't give a thought to the corporate effects of sin. The truth is that I render my church ineffective against the enemy. My battles become at best, self-reliant efforts to keep the enemy at bay. They are fruitless.

"You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you." Yes, we are sinners. But it is quite different to sin inadvertently due to ones sinful nature than to set out to defy the commands of the Lord. My fight with my wife hinders my prayers. My grudge against my brother hinders God's forgiveness for me. My sexual immorality taints the whole community once it comes to light bringing down my leadership and the whole ministry. Holy war is not fought alone. It is the effort of a whole community. My personal sin has corporate repercussions. I cannot stand to the enemy while living in sin.

The anatomy of sin is well described in Achan's confession: I saw, I coveted, and I hid. I downplay too much the role that my senses have in stimulating my desires. My eyes were given by God to enjoy his creation, but when I stare a little too long at things that stimulate ungodly desires in my heart, I run into trouble; sin is at hand. It gets further complicated when I refuse to come immediately to God. The guilt and the shame drive me away from God and I want to hide. God is omniscient and omnipresent, which means nothing is hidden from his presence. Yet, in my sin, I think that I can avoid God, even hide from him.

Consecration is key in holy war. If I want to conquer the promised land, if I desire to establish God's kingdom upon the earth, I must be solely devoted to God and his purposes. I must be single-minded. I can't be dividing my attention among many things - especially the devoted things. The consequences for taking, holding, and hiding devoted things are devastating. The devoted things will only add trouble to my life. 

Lord, give me an undivided heart that I may fear your name. Cleanse me of my sin. Help me let go of the devoted things of this world. May I be totally consecrated to you.

Joshua 3:1-17 Israel Crosses the Jordan

The promises of God are true. But they are not always unconditional. In order to enjoy the blessings of God it is necessary for us to listen to God and follow his guidance. The people were called to prepare in consecration and then follow the ark of the covenant as it was carried by the priests. They were not to make a move on their own without God and the appointed leadership.

Consecration is not a word you use every day. It means to dedicate to a purpose. The conquest of the promised land requires total dedication. It is not a mere hobby or a sideline job. It is a full-time commitment. It is a lifestyle. All of my life must be devoted to this one cause: the kingdom of God and its establishment upon the earth! I cannot serve two masters. I must consecrate myself to my God and his purposes for my life.

Total dedication to God's kingdom and its establishment upon the earth is demonstrated in obedience. The ark of the covenant is the place where the Israelites enjoyed the manifest presence of God. God led his people through the ark and the appointed leaders. They were called to follow his lead and obey his instructions. The establishment of God's kingdom requires me to unite with the brethren and follow in obedience God's commandments.

It is very obvious that the establishment of God's kingdom is not something I can pull off on my own. It is not a "lone ranger" type of rescue. It is the corporate consecration and obedience of God's people in the pursuit of his purposes. I must see myself as part of a whole: the body of Christ. My contribution is only a piece of the puzzle. The body becomes ineffective, even paralyzed, if I try to do my own thing. 

Lord, I consecrate my life to you and the establishment of your kingdom upon earth. Help me be faithful to your purposes and obedient to your commands. May I seek unity and teamwork within the body of Christ for your glory and honor forever. Amen